BREAKING: Multiple Explosions Rock Major City… Death Toll Rising

At least 23 people were dead and 35 injured in a coordinated series of attacks around Brussels just four days after a Belgian-born French citizen linked to the Paris attacks was arrested during a gunfight the city.

CNN, citing Belgian broadcasters VRT and RTBF, stated that two explosions happened at Brussels Zaventem Airport, about six miles northwest of the city, at about 8:00 a.m. local time.

The BBC then reported that an hour later, an explosion rocked the Maalbeek metro station in the suburban European quarter. The metro system has since been closed.

“It was atrocious. The ceilings collapsed,” said Zach Mouzoun, who had just arrived on a flight from Geneva. “There was blood everywhere, injured people, bags everywhere.”

“We were walking in the debris. It was a war scene,” he added.

Things were no better at the Maalbeek station.

“The metro was leaving Maelbeek station when there was a really loud explosion,” said 32-year-old Alexandre Brans, who was wiping blood from his face after surviving the attack. “It was panic everywhere. There were a lot of people in the metro.”

Chaos at the airport (top) and stock photo of the Maalbeek metro station (bottom)

Brussels has become linked with jihadist activity in recent years, particularly in the wake of last November’s Paris attacks. Earlier this week, suspect Salah Abdeslam was taken into custody in the city’s Molenbeek section after a gunfight with authorities.

Another man with terror ties was taken into custody after the gunfight. A raid on an apartment three days earlier had found Abdeslam’s DNA as well as a forged Syrian passport in the other man’s name.

Media has speculated that the coordinated attacks likely had something to do with the arrests.

In response to the attacks, French President Francois Hollande has called an emergency meeting with members of his cabinet. It’s unknown whether the French believe there is a threat against them as well as Brussels.

Earlier in the week, President Hollande had called for the extradition of Abdeslam from Belgium after his arrest.

We’ll have more on this story as it breaks. Please like and share on Facebook and Twitter if your thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by this horrific tragedy.

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